Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-08-11

meFc curiosity L 1eels IL 3 = OOEt Oh
melancholy duty. Now you're here.
I'll get you to watch over me-"
OF what new absurdity was Campbell
about to be guilty? 1t was bad enough
that he should bring unpleasant proofs
of his philanthropy to that peaceful
place. the Rice and Curry Club; it was
worse that he should drag me, pro-
fessional man. gratuitously-that was
the extra sting to it-and in the middle
of the night, to an abominable Chinese
den at the East end of London. But
now he put climax to his wickedness
by asking me to watch over him. as if
l were . guardian angel. never felt
less like guardian angel in my life.
l was about to Indignantly refuse
Il sent away the cab," said Camp
bell, coolly.
Horror! we were then to stop here
till morning! for there was certainly
no getting away from the place except
in a cab. l had recently seen the
''Romany Rye" and the awful horrors
of the East end of London 1t midnight
were fresh in my mind. Who knows
but that l had been decoyed here by
Campbell? He might be my illegiti-
mate brother, who had brought me
here to murder me, and was IA I'M
armed man! The remembrance of MIR.
Wilson Barrett's frantic struggles
flashed through me. Alas! I had seen
for myself that the very horrible per-
sons on the Princess stage were no
exaggeration. L was evidently in for
it, but l determined that nothing should
deeoy me into those dreadful streets,
of which, from our cab window, had
already seen more than enough.
But Campbell proceeded to reassure
me. my dear fellow" he said, you
seem uncomfortable, but there is moth
ing to he alarmed about; all 1 want
you to do is to look after me profess
sionally. l am about to make an ex-
pertinent, by trying for myself what
the much-vaunted delights of opium
really are. These poor fell
lows" he said, with . sympathizing
glance at the disgusting Oorpse-like OBJ
jects, who lay ABOUT in every direction.
''always tell me that if I only tried it
once, 1 should do as they do. I feel
that l could speak to them with more
if 1 had really made the ex-
pertinent. and now is my opportunity.
1 shall ask my host to supply me with
q pipe of his best opium.'
He turned to a diabolical looking old
Chinaman who sat crouching on the
floor, warming his attenuated fingers
over an earthen pot filled with live
and addressed him in his ma
tive language. I did not understand
what they said; they smiled. grinned
and gesticulated, and saw that it was
no use to argue with Campbell. He
deliberately took off his coat and col
lar, and undid the top button of his
shirt; then he calmly proceeded to lie
down by the side of one of the revolt
ing objects on the great wooden bed
stead, which formed the only furniture |
in the sordid room.
The Chinaman produced from his
breast rather more elaborate pipe
than those I had yet seen. It was
about six inches long; the bowl was
formed of a tiny saucer of silver, the
size of shilling. From small metal
box the old man proceeded to charge
it with opium; he then lighted it, drew |
it into action with his own disgusting |
and with a low obeisance,
handed it to Campbell, who proceeded |
1t once to inhale the abomination.
In few minutes he dropped of. and
The same idiotic appearance which was
on the faces of the other |
'leepers was visible on my friends |
ACE. He snored heavily. Several
times 1 placed my hand upon his
,ulse, but there was nothing to alarm
ne; he simply slept the heavy sleep
which is always produced by large
loso of the drug.
There 1 sat till day broke watching
he man. One by one the various
;lecpers awakened, shook themselves
ogether, and without noticing me
staggered out of the room. At eight
o'clock Campbell came to life again.
He was like half-drunken man, but
n little time he pulled himself to-
,ether, and then he sent the Chinaman
or cab. The man was a long while
rome, for there are not many cabs.
ancy, to be found at early morning in
hat part of London.
II can quite understand their infa-
uation." he said to me. with a sigh of
'egret. Il have been in the seventh
he continued, as he rubbed
lis eyes. ut was glorious"
Now comes the painful part Of my
tory. From that moment Campbell
'ecame confirmed opium-smOker.
lie used to worry me by the hour with
he description of his horrible pleasures.
Day by day Campbell got thinner. yell
over, and more haggard-looking.
who had long ago christened
m L